-----
1. San Antonio Spurs2011-2012 Record: 50-16, 1st in Southwest
Playoff Result: Lost to Oklahoma City Thunder in Western Conference Finals
Additions: G Nando de Colo
Losses: G James Anderson
Draft Picks: G Marcus Denmon, Missouri (2nd round, pick 59)
Projected Rotation
C - Boris Diaw, Tiago Splitter, Matt Bonner
PF - Tim Duncan, DaJuan Blair
SF - Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Jackson, Derrick Brown
SG - Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, Nando de Colo
PG - Tony Parker, Gary Neal, Patty Mills, Cory Joseph
The Spurs might not have what it takes talent wise to win a seven game series against a younger, more athletic team, but there is no team better coached and more prepared then San Antonio during the regular season. Tony Parker had perhaps his best season and was the main reason the Spurs finished with the best record in the NBA. This team has plenty of firepower to make some noise once they reach the playoffs. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw are veterans who still have plenty to offer. Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter, DaJuan Blair and Danny Green are youngsters whos best days are still ahead of them.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 38-28, 2nd in West
Playoff Result: Lost to Los Angeles Lakers in Western Conference First Round
Additions: G Andre Iguodala, F Anthony Randolph
Losses: G Arron Afflalo, F Al Harrington, FC Chris Andersen, G Rudy Fernandez
Draft Picks: G Evan Fournier, France (round 1, pick 20). F Quincy Miller, Baylor (round 2, pick 38). F Izzet Turkyilmaz, Turkey (round 2, pick 50)
Projected Rotation
C - Kosta Koufos, JaVale McGee, Timofey Mozgov
PF - Kenneth Faried, Anthony Randolph
SF - Danillo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Jordan Hamilton, Quincy Miller
SG - Andre Iguodala, Corey Brewer, Evan Fournier
PG - Ty Lawson, Andre Miller, Julyan Stone
There is a reason that sites and previews, including this one, have the Nuggets poised for such a big season. They are perhaps the deepest and most athletic team in the NBA. They are two deep with young, quick guys at every position and are set to run the opposition off the floor when they visit Denver. Adding Andre Iguodala, a strong defender who excels in the open floor, further adds to what they already do. What I worry about is when the playoffs role around. Iguodala, Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson all have the potential to take over a game offensively, but can they do it when they have to play the same team 7 times in a row? We will see.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 47-19, 1st in Northwest
Playoff Result: Lost to Miami Heat in NBA Finals
Additions: G Kevin Martin, GF DeAndre Liggins, C Hasheem Thabeet
Losses: G James Harden, G Daequan Cook, F Lazar Hayward, C Cole Aldrich, G Derek Fisher, C Nazr Mohammed
Draft Picks: F Perry Jones, Baylor (round 1, pick 28)
Projected Rotation
C - Kendrick Perkins, Hasheem Thabeet
PF - Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison, Perry Jones
SF - Kevin Durant, DeAndre Liggins
SG - Thabo Sefolosha, Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb
PG - Russell Westbrook, Eric Maynor, Reggie Jackson
The Thunder shook up the NBA world by trading James Harden days before the season was set to start. Now no one quite knows what to expect from Oklahoma City this year. Harden was really coming into his own and will be missed dearly. But the Thunder still have Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, who are three of the best players in the NBA. I also think Kevin Martin could thrive in his new role. He gets to be someone who comes into the game and gets some easy points instead of absorbing a beating all game like he did in Houston. The Thunder are still a team who will rely on Durant and Westbrook for the majority of their scoring and Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins for defense and dirty work. The reason they are ranked third here is because I do not like their depth and I think Scott Brooks is an absolutely terrible coach. Still, there are three surefire contenders in the NBA this year, and the Thunder are one of them. The Lakers and Heat being the others.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 41-25, 1st in Pacific
Playoff Result: Lost to Oklahoma City Thunder in Western Conference Semifinals
Additions: C Dwight Howard, G Steve Nash, G Jodie Meeks, F Antawn Jamison, G Chris Duhon
Losses: C Andrew Bynum, G Ramon Sessions, F Matt Barnes, F Josh McRoberts
Draft Picks: G Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette (2nd round, pick 55). C Robert Sacre, Gonzaga (2nd round, pick 60)
Projected Rotation
C - Dwight Howard, Jordan Hill, Robert Sacre
PF - Pau Gasol, Antawn Jamison
SF - Metta World Peace, Devin Ebanks, Earl Clark
SG - Kobe Bryant, Jodie Meeks, Darius Johnson-Odom
PG - Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Darius Morris, Chris Duhon
Once again it looked like the Lakers were about to fade into the sunset and have to undergo a rebuilding process. But there is no rebuilding in Los Angeles. Not when other GM's love to hand Los Angeles superstars for chump change. Enter Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, two future hall of famers hungry for their first ring. It might take a while for all of these players to mesh, but once the playoffs roll around they could steamroll through the West. Howard and Gasol are both 20 point per game scorers on the front line, Kobe Bryant is ageless and still is a 20 point per game scorer in the back court and Steve Nash has hardly lost a step. The bench has a few players who can knock down jump shots. The Lakers aren't shoe ins for the NBA Finals, but they have to be considered the favorites out West.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 41-25, 2nd in Southwest
Playoff Result: Lost to Los Angeles Clippers in Western Conference First Round
Additions: G Jerryd Bayless,G Wayne Ellington
Losses: G OJ Mayo, F Dante Cunningham
Draft Picks: G Tony Wroten Jr, Washington (1st round, pick 25)
Projected Rotation
C - Marc Gasol, Marreese Speights, Hamed Haddadi
PF - Zach Randolph, Darrell Arthur
SF - Rudy Gay, Quincy Pondexter
SG - Tony Allen, Wayne Ellington, Tony Wroten Jr
PG - Mike Conley, Jerryd Bayless, Josh Selby
I really like this Grizzlies squad, but they suffer from the same fate that Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets used to go through. They are good enough to finish fourth or fifth in the West, but not good enough to make it past the first or second round. Memhpis has one of the best starting vises in the NBA. Gasol and Randolph are both very good offensive big men. Rudy Gay has one of the best games in the league and is a top small forward. Tony Allen is a great on the ball defender and Mike Conley has developed into one of the best leaders in the league. But they just don't have that guy who can take over and will his team over a better squad. Expect another 50+ win season and first or second round loss. The West is just too deep.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 40-26, 2nd in Pacific
Playoff Result: Lost to San Antonio Spurs in Western Conference Semifinals
Additions: F Lamar Odom, GF Grant Hill, G Jamal Crawford, FC Ronny Turiaf, G Willie Green, C Ryan Hollins
Losses: F Reggie Evans, G Randy Foye, G Mo Williams, F Kenyon Martin, F Bobby Simmons, G Nick Young
Draft Picks: F Furkan Aldemir, Turkey (2nd round, pick 53)
Projected Rotation
C - DeAndre Jordan, Ronny Turiaf, Ryan Hollins
PF - Blake Griffin, Lamar Odom, Trey Thompkins
SF - Caron Butler, Grant Hill, Matt Barnes, Marqus Blakely
SG - Chauncey Billups, Jamal Crawford, Willie Green
PG - Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe
The Los Angeles Clippers had the best season in their 40+ year history last year, and will look to make the playoffs for two straight years for only the third time. To say Clipper fans are witnessing a team they have never seen before is an understatement. Chris Paul was as good as advertised for Los Angeles, transforming this squad into a winner over night. The Clippers are very deep with a ton of veteran leadership, or in the case of Lamar Odom and Jamal Crawford, a veteran. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are the studs and the two worth mentioning. Griffin had a monster season, with 20-10's all over the place. I think the Clippers are locks for the playoffs, but I worry about them advancing. There are certainly a lot of well known players here, but who will step up as the third guy on this team? Do Chauncey Billups, Jamal Crawford, Caron Butler and Grant Hill have enough in the tank? Will DeAndre Jordan take a step forward this year? There are a lot of questions, but the Clippers have the talent to finish with the best record in the West.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 36-30, 3rd in Northwest
Playoff Result: Lost to San Antonio Spurs in Western Conference First Round
Additions: G Mo Williams, G Randy Foye, F Marvin Williams
Losses: G Devin Harris, G CJ Miles
Draft Picks: G Kevin Murphy, Tennessee Tech (2nd round, pick 47)
Projected Rotation
C - Al Jefferson, Enes Kanter
PF - Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, Jeremy Evans
SF - Marvin Williams, DeMarre Carroll, Kevin Murphy
SG - Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks, Randy Foye
PG - Mo Williams, Earl Watson, Jamaal Tinsley
The Jazz have done a very good job of rebuilding post Deron Williams. They have a ton of young talent, including lottery picks Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks. Throw in solid veterans Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Mo Williams and this is a team that should battle for a lower playoff seed once again. Utah might have to move Al Jefferson and/or Paul Millsap because eventually Kanter and Favors deserve to get 30 minutes per night.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 22-44, 5th in Pacific
Playoff Result: None
Additions: F James Johnson
Losses: F Donte Greene, G Terrence Williams, C Hassan Whiteside
Draft Picks: F Thomas Robinson, Kansas (1st round, pick 5)
Projected Rotation
C - DeMarcus Cousins, Chuck Hayes
PF - Jason Thompson, Thomas Robinson
SF - James Johnson, John Salmons, Travis Outlaw, Tyler Honeycutt
SG - Tyreke Evans, Marcus Thornton, Francisco Garcia
PG - Isaiah Thomas, Aaron Brooks, Jimmer Fredette
The Kings have quite a bit of talent, but so far they haven't been able to turn this nucleus into wins. It all starts with DeMarcus Cousins, who is one of the five best centers in the NBA. He improved on all his numbers his second season and showed why people thought he should have been picked first or second. He also showed why he fell to fifth with some early season immaturity issues. The rest of the team is full of guys who can ball, but are not the best team players. Adding defensive minded James Johnson and solid rookie big man Thomas Robinson will help, and if head coach Keith Smart can figure out how to properly utilize Tyreke Evans, this team could be the eighth seed.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 33-33, 3rd in Pacific
Playoff Result: None
Additions: G Goran Dragic, F Luis Scola, F Michael Beasley, FC Jermaine O'Neal, GF Wesley Johnson
Losses: C Robin Lopez, G Steve Nash, GF Grant Hill, GF Josh Childress
Draft Picks: G Kendall Marshall, North Carolina (1st round, pick 13)
Projected Rotation
C - Marcin Gortat, Jermaine O'Neal, Luke Zeller
PF - Luis Scola, Markieff Morris
SF - Michael Beasley, Wesley Johnson, PJ Tucker
SG - Jared Dudley, Shannon Brown, Diante Garrett
PG - Goran Dragic, Sebastian Telfair, Kendall Marshall
Like always, owner Robert Sarver refuses to rebuild. He would rather have a 40 win team that sells tickets then start over and build through the draft. Gone is Steve Nash, the best player in Phoenix history. You would have thought a full rebuilding effort would follow, but the additions of Luis Scola, Michael Beasley and Goran Dragic ensures that this team will win between 35-40 games this year. One good thing for Phoenix is that the Hornets managed to get in the way and keep the Suns from massively overpaying for Eric Gordon. Dragic was the much better signing.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 23-43, 4th in Pacific
Playoff Result: None
Additions: F Carl Landry, G Kent Bazemore, G Jarrett Jack
Losses: F Dominic McGuire, G Nate Robinson, G Dorrell Wright
Draft Picks: F Harrison Barnes, North Carolina (1st round, pick 7). C Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt (1st round, pick 30). F Draymond Green, Michigan St. (2nd round, pick 35)
Projected Rotation
C - Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli, Andris Biedrins
PF - David Lee, Carl Landry, Jeremy Tyler
SF - Harrison Barnes, Richard Jefferson, Draymond Green
SG - Klay Thompson, Brandon Rush, Kent Bazemore
PG - Stephen Curry, Jarrett Jack, Charles Jenkins
The perpetually rebuilding Warriors went through yet another overahaul this off season. It started during the season when Monta Ellis was dealt for always injured big man Andrew Bogut. Also, the extremely curious trade that brought Richard Jefferson to Oakland. During the off season they added three more rookies who should be key contributors, which is good because the Warriors always seem to end the season playing a bunch of D-Leaguers. The Warriors should be better if, and this is a huge if, Bogut and Stephen Curry can stay healthy. That will most likely not happen, but at least the Warriors brought in solid veteran Jarrett Jack for insurance. This team will score, as Lee, Curry, Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson are great scorers. Like always though, they will struggle to play defense.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 26-40, 5th in Northwest
Playoff Result: None
Additions: G Brandon Roy, F Andrei Kirilenko, C Greg Stiemsma, G Chase Budinger, F Dante Cunningham, G Alexey Shved, G Will Conroy, F Louis Amundson
Losses: GF Wesley Johnson, F Michael Beasley, G Wayne Ellington, F Anthony Randolph, GF Martell Webster, F Anthony Tolliver
Draft Picks: F Robbie Hummel, Purdue (2nd round, pick 58)
Projected Rotation
C - Nikola Pekovic, Greg Stiemsma
PF - Kevin Love, Derrick Williams, Louis Amundson, Dante Cunningham
SF - Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger
SG - Brandon Roy, Alexey Shved, Malcolm Lee
PG - Luke Ridnour, JJ Barea, Will Conroy
General Manager David Kahn decided to steer the Wolves a different direction. This time he will go with some veterans who looked finished in the NBA two years ago for key roles. Andrei Kirilenko returns to the states and Brandon Roy comes out of retirement, and both players will see big minutes for the Wolves. This could not turn out worse then drafting a bunch of young guys who didn't pan out. The Wolves have drafted Derrick Williams, Wesley Johnson, Jonny Flynn and Corey Brewer high in the lottery, and the latter three have not panned out. Kevin Love will miss the first couple of months of the season, and without Ricky Rubio, I think that might be too much for the Wolves to overcome in the brutal West.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 36-30, 3rd in Southwest
Playoff Result: Lost to Oklahoma City Thunder in Western Conference First Round
Additions: C Chris Kaman, FC Elton Brand, G Darren Collison, G OJ Mayo, C Eddy Curry, FC Melvin Ely
Losses: G Jason Kidd, G Jason Terry, C Brendan Haywood
Draft Picks: G Jared Cunningham, Oregon St. (1st round, pick 24). C Bernard James, Florida St. (2nd round, pick 33). F Jae Crowder, Marquette (2nd round, pick 34)
Projected Rotation
C - Chris Kaman, Eddy Curry, Bernard James
PF - Dirk Nowitzki, Elton Brand, Brandan Wright, Melvin Ely
SF - Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, Jae Crowder
SG - OJ Mayo, Dahntay Jones, Dominique Jones, Delonte West
PG - Darren Collison, Rodrigue Beaubois, Jared Cunningham
It has been a quick fall from grace for the Mavericks since winning the title two years ago. The team seems to lack direction and will start several castoffs from other teams. Darren Collison, OJ Mayo, Elton Brand and Chris Kaman were jettisoned from their former teams and will try to rebound with key roles for the Mavericks. It is a lot to ask for all four players to rebound. Also, Dirk Nowitzki will miss the first two months of the season. Things could get ugly in Dallas, a team that got old in a hurry and didn't prepare for it.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 21-45, 5th in Southwest
Playoff Result: None
Additions: C Robin Lopez, G Roger Mason, F Lance Thomas, F Ryan Anderson, F Hakim Warrick
Losses: G Jarrett Jack, GF Trevor Ariza, C Emeka Okafor, FC Gustavo Ayon
Draft Picks: F Anthony Davis (1st round, pick 1), G Austin Rivers, Duke (1st round, pick 10). F Darius Miller, Kentucky (2nd round, pick 46)
Projected Rotation
C - Robin Lopez, Jason Smith
PF - Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson, Hakim Warrick
SF - Al-Farouq Aminu, Lance Thomas, Darius Miller
SG - Eric Gordon, Roger Mason, Xavier Henry
PG - Greivis Vasquez, Austin Rivers
The Hornets traded Chris Paul for what ended up being Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers. Aminu looks mediocre, Gordon can never stay healthy and with a new max deal will most likely become a tremendous burden on the salary cap in a few years, and Rivers is a flashy rookie without a position. However, the trade made the Hornets bad enough that they lucked into Anthony Davis, who should be an All Star for several seasons to come. He is one of the most dynamic, complete college players to come along in quite a while. New Orleans also managed to land Ryan Anderson, who is a great offensive player. The Hornets still have a lot of rebuilding to do, but the foundation is there with Davis.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 34-32, 4th in Southwest
Playoff Result: None
Additions: G James Harden, G Jeremy Lin, C Omir Asik, C Cole Aldrich, GF Carlos Delfino, G Toney Douglas, G Daequan Cook, F Donatas Motiejunas
Losses: G Kevin Martin, C Marcus Camby, GF Chase Budinger, G Kyle Lowry, G Goran Dragic, G Courtney Lee, F Luis Scola
Draft Picks: F Royce White, Iowa St. (1st round, pick 16). F Terrence Jones, Kentucky (1st round, pick 18)
Projected Rotation
C - Omir Asik, Cole Aldrich, Greg Smith
PF - Patrick Patterson, Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas
SF - Chandler Parsons, Royce White, Marcus Morris
SG - James Harden, Carlos Delfino, Daequan Cook
PG - Jeremy Lin, Toney Douglas, Scott Machado
The Rockets enter 2012-2013 with a brand new starting lineup. Houston was wheeling and dealing all off season, and ended up with a roster full of young, underdeveloped talent. All of that hard work finally paid off as Houston was able to land All Star James Harden just a few days before the start of the season. The 23 year old guard is now the man for Houston. The Rockets should be an interesting team to watch. Cole Aldrich, Terrence Jones, Royce White, Marcus Morris, Patrick Patterson and Donatas Motiejunas are all young first rounders who could provide a spark for Houston. Omir Asik, Carlos Delfino and Jeremy Lin were signed and will be counted on to provide major minutes, but all three come with major question marks. Harden was a good start, but this team is still too young to contend for the playoffs.
-----
2011-2012 Record: 28-38, 4th in Northwest
Playoff Record: None
Additions: FC Jared JEffries, F Joel Freeland, F Victor Claver
Losses: G Raymond Felton, FC Kurt Thomas, C Hasheem Thabeet, G Jonny Flynn, C Joel Przybilla
Draft Picks: G Damian Lillard, Weber St. (1st round, pick 6). C Meyers Leonard, Illinois (1st round, pick 11). G Will Barton, Memphis (2nd round, pick 40)
Projected Rotation
C - JJ Hickson, Meyers Leonard
PF - LaMarcus Aldridge, Joel Freeland, Jared Jeffries
SF - Nicolas Batum, Victor Claver, Luke Babbitt
SG - Wesley Matthews, Will Barton, Sasha Pavlovic
PG - Damian Lillard, Nolan Smith, Ronnie Price
Years of bad drafting and crippling injuries came to a head last year when Portland fell apart. They are clearly rebuilding around their two players worth keeping around in LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum. Portland will have an amazing five rookies in the rotation with former first round picks Joel Freeland and Victor Claver coming state side. Damian Lillard already looks like a keeper and Meyers Leonard has a chance to be a good one. For the Blazers to become a playoff contender again, they will have to draft and develop talent better then they have the last few years. Guys like Nolan Smith, Luke Babbitt and Elliot Williams are just not going to cut it.
No comments:
Post a Comment